Golden is a small town located in the southeastern part of British Columbia and is known for its stunning natural beauty and amazing outdoor activities. If you are thinking of stopping by this quaint town for some adventure, the answer is yes! Let us get into some of our recommendations on how to have 48 hours of fun in Golden!
Note: Hwy 1 is undergoing construction right now before the town of Golden, this is called the Kicking Horse Canyon project. Therefore, we would recommend you check updates before your departure on the DriveBC website and you might experience delays depending on what time you are traveling through this area. Typically during the summer, you can expect 30-minute delays from 8pm-10pm and road closure from 10pm-7am. Take a look at the upcoming calendar here.
Is Golden worth visiting?
Golden is situated in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains about halfway between Calgary and Vancouver. This often makes it a popular pit stop for a bathroom break and coffee refill. However, Golden has many unique experiences to offer, therefore, it should be added to your road trip itinerary for at least one or two nights. For the adventure lover, Golden is definitely worth visiting in both the summer and winter!
Day 1 in Golden, BC | Biking in Golden
Ideally you will want to arrive in the morning to maximize your 48 hours of fun in Golden! Hit the road early to avoid that heavy traffic, it will be worth it. If you are coming from a city like Calgary or Vancouver, there are plenty of unique stops on your way to Golden, be sure to take advantage of them.
Check out some of our favorite stops from Calgary to Golden in our blog here!
First stop, coffee!
If you hit the road early, by the time you arrive at Golden, you will be wanting to fuel up again for a day of activities. Stop into Ethos cafe for a coffee and a light bite if you need it (try the Mushroom Toast!).
Time to hit the MTB trails!
Moonrakers is a riding area in Golden across the river from town, on the west side of Columbia Valley on the way up to Kicking Horse Ski Resort. This extensive trail system is the roots of cross-country mountain biking dating back to the 1980’s when a network of nordic ski trails were built. It’s the perfect place to kick-off your time mountain biking in Golden. Definitely check out the CBT trail network and ride the CBT Mainline to Goldrush.
If you are looking for more mountain biking in British Columbia, check out our favorite trails in Invermere!
Post-ride plunge
No better way to cool off after a big ride than plunging into the nice glacial river! Right across the bridge from the Moonrakers parking lot is a great spot for a river dip to cool off/ice bath the legs.
Indulge in a post-ride meal
After working up an appetite, head back up towards Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to post up at Peaks Grill patio. The Peaks Burger is an awesome choice after a big ride! If you have some additional time to spend in Golden, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is typically open till the end of September and has some incredible downhill biking trails. Another perfect way to spend the day!
Scout out a campsite
After soaking in the views and inhaling a great burger at the top of Kicking Horse. Make your way down to Cedar Lake rec campsite to scout a spot for the evening. This campsite has bathrooms, fire pits, picnic tables and an incredible lake to hang out and watch the sun tuck behind the mountains. Given all the amenities, it is a great deal at just $15 per night!
Day 2 in Golden, BC | Biking in Golden
Coffee with the picopresso
Of course we always start our day with a coffee.. However, if you don’t want to leave the comforts of your campsite too early in the morning looking for a deadly cup of coffee. Look no further than the Picopresso! The Wacaco Picopresso is a portable espresso machine that makes an incredible cup of coffee on the road. We couldn’t recommend it more for all your adventures 🙂
Jump in the lake
No better way to wake yourself up for the day and a big bike ride than jumping in the lake. Cedar Lake campsite conveniently has a fresh lake within walking distance of their campsites that is perfect to sip your morning coffee and jump in the brisk water for a refreshing start!
Mount 7 MTB Trails
Next on the itinerary is Mount 7… A crucial pit stop for 48 hours of fun in Golden. The hotspot for downhill shuttle laps can be found at Mount 7. However, if you are like us and prefer to earn your ride down with a sweaty ride up, there are also plenty of uptrack options. 5K is an awesome techy, black-diamond run! To access 5K, pedal up Schacer to B52 then descend on 5k for a sick ride!
Grab a deadly burrito
After a challenging bike, Reposados is a great Mexican restaurant in downtown Golden with a lovely atmosphere. Definitely check it out!
Hang out by the river
Lastly, the best way to wrap up an incredible bike trip in Golden is by hanging out by the river. There are multiple places along the river to park and jump in, but if you want to hang by the river for a little post-ride nap and soak up the sun, head over to Confluence Park.
Grab a drink to cap off the trip
Before the end of your 48 hours of fun in Golden, be sure to stop into Whitetooth Brewing Company and check out their beautiful patio or stunning tasting room!
Adios, Chicos!
Thanks for stopping by and checking out our recommendations for the 48 hours of fun in Golden and best mountain bike weekend! Let us know in the comments if you have any other suggestions on mountain biking in Golden! Don’t forget to subscribe for more!